Book 1 Chapter 11
Episode 10
“It seems the irony of history never changes.”
The Chancellor’s office, where Madellia Page, the Chancellor of <Delaiten>, resided, was a place where sunlight poured in dazzlingly through octagonal arched windows.
“I don’t know why, but talented people are always concentrated in one place during each era.”
The document she weakly placed on her desk contained the personal files of the new students.
“Hubert of the Rohinum School, Lillian of the Rivendell School, Kayden of the Harimun School, Nora of the Melev School, Logan of the Chaihak School…”
All five individuals emotionlessly called out by Chancellor Madellia were, surprisingly, wizard apprentices considered prodigies from the Eight Great Schools that dominated the Empire.
“Five prodigies entering simultaneously, this might truly be a first.”
The timing for each school to accept and produce disciples naturally differs.
But how often would the age group of the star pupils align so perfectly?
“The Warden Count sent a brilliant child, but she might be overwhelmed alone.”
The chasm of conflict between the magic noble families and the Eight Great Schools was terrifyingly deep.
After reaching adulthood, it wasn't overtly expressed as it was in student days, but the tightrope walking factional struggles in the Magic Alliance were still rampant.
It was even the case when selecting the Magic Stars of the Imperial Magic Affairs Bureau, direct imperial wizards, just recently.
“It’s not a pleasant situation for the academic affairs department to intervene in student disputes, but I can’t deny it’s a special circumstance.”
Standing before Madellia’s desk was a female wizard with a gentle expression and half-closed eyes.
It was Caroline.
She had been Madellia’s disciple in her youth, and now she was Krista Warden’s mentor.
“Deliver this to the professors and lecturers: It’s Dimain-2. Observe them carefully and discreetly intervene when necessary. Don’t let things escalate unnecessarily.”
Normally, she would have nodded immediately, but Caroline hesitated slightly.
“What’s wrong?”
“I was thinking it might be a bit premature to make such a judgment.”
“Hmm?”
“It doesn't seem like Krista is the only genius from the magic noble families this term.”
It was a strange statement. Madellia tilted her head.
Unlike the Eight Great Schools, the magic noble families are houses. Only direct descendants can bear the name of a magic noble family.
This was a symbol of honor, but also a shackle, as it meant the magic noble families had limited human resources.
“Did someone I don’t know come to our school this time?”
“No.”
“I know only two came: Krista Warden and Rain Ludwig.”
“Yes.”
“Then are you saying Rain Ludwig… this child you want to admit through the additional examination is a genius?”
“You wouldn't believe me even if I told you directly. You must have met him at the family council. I didn’t either, until I saw him myself.”
“Your habit of beating around the bush hasn't changed, Cat. You know I dislike that.”
Madellia sighed, and Caroline hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Though my insight is limited… well, it doesn’t seem like they need much help. I’m actually looking forward to seeing how the two of them will act in this situation.”
Ohh… Madellia, who had been observing Caroline’s expression for a moment, checked the academic administration table. And she raised an eyebrow slightly.
“No need to wait long for the results then. If he’s admitted as an extra-quota student, Owen will be his homeroom teacher.”
Owen, Caroline nodded as if in agreement.
Wasn’t he the notorious professor who had expelled 21 students just last year?
“He’ll probably expel them quickly if he deems them worthless.”
“If Rain Ludwig is the unnamed hero who quelled the theft incident on entrance exam day, as you say, even Owen would give him a passing grade. But did he really say he wouldn’t accept any reward?”
Caroline merely shrugged her shoulders, as if honestly finding it hard to understand.
“Yes. He said it would become bothersome in many ways if his involvement in the incident was revealed, and he strongly dislikes that. He just wants to read books quietly.”
“That’s a very strange fellow.”
“Strange fellows make good wizards, that’s what you always used to say, Master. But you look a bit gloomy today?”
Madellia put down the admission documents and turned her gaze to the brilliantly sunlit window.
“That thief Rain Ludwig caught, it seems he’s connected to the Black Church.”
“No way.”
“Cat, have I ever lied? The Special Operations Department contacted me first. They said they’d be in the city soon.”
* * *
The notification of university admission came the morning after that incident.
The professor, who identified herself as Caroline, said that <Delaiten> accepted only one special admission student each year, for whatever reason.
She said that he couldn't be granted special admission simply because he missed the entrance exam while catching a thief on the street.
- But that doesn't mean there's no way.
Therefore, Caroline suggested he consider entering through the additional examination process.
She said the additional examination was called the test for so-called losers, those without enough skill to apply on time.
- Of course, the additional examination has already ended. But since I have already seen your skill, Master, there's no need for you to take the test; we can just put you on the pass list.
He had been worried that his admission might be delayed by a year, but thinking this was a good outcome, he immediately accepted.
- It might be good for you to think about it a bit. What kind of looks will the eldest son of a noble family receive if he enters through the additional examination…
- I don’t really care what others think of me. There’s nothing to think about; just put me in.
Caroline seemed to find his answer quite strange, but this also didn't matter.
And so, the boy now stood before the gates of <Delaiten>, the supreme magic university where the cutting edge of the Holy Human Empire’s intellect gathered.
The grounds of <Delaiten> were not just vast, but immense.
There was even a rumor that Goldenrose, the fifth largest city in the Empire, was built solely for the operation of this school.
‘School…’
He briefly looked up at the main building of the school where the entrance ceremony would begin, caught in a strange reverie.
The main building of <Delaiten> was called Yongryungwan (Dragon Scale Hall), literally shaped like a majestic true dragon statue coiled around the building.
‘I had no connection with schools.’
Neither in his previous life nor in this one.
When he worked as an assistant at the <Rivarden> Magic School, all he did was occasionally solve problems easily on the blackboard and answer questions.
Was that why a subtle tremor was rising in his heart?
‘In my previous life, I was raised by the Dean of the Osarius School, and in this life, I only learned magic from my family…’
Even now, he didn't particularly feel the need to learn anything from anyone, but still, at the end of this path, she was waiting.
Rista Altar Schurpein.
Numbers, parchment, and ink… You, who came into my world of monotonous black and white and led me into a world of vibrant colors.
- Only the top graduate of <Delaiten> gets the chance to behold Lin’s corpse.
He smiled quietly.
On the day I meet you again, I should at least have my magic skills from my previous life, so I won’t be ashamed, right?
“Oh, there you are!”
At that moment, a shrill voice brutally shattered his pleasant reverie.
A girl wearing a pristine academic cap over a pure white wizard’s robe.
A brooch neatly pinned at the chest of her robe was engraved with the pattern of a sleeping dragon.
This girl, who appeared before him with her chestnut bob fluttering in the spring breeze, dressed in the first-year uniform of <Delaiten>, was… a familiar face, so he waved his hand first.
“Hello.”
“The showdown we couldn’t have last time… huh? Oh, hello.”
Was she clumsy at receiving greetings? She mumbled something, then, with an expression of being speechless, she waved back.
“Hey, look at that.”
“It’s Krista Warden.”
“This term’s recommended entrant…”
It was strange how Krista Warden confidently shrugged her shoulders amidst the murmurs.
“You’re more popular than I thought?”
“They even say anyone in our generation who doesn't know me is a Republican spy. And you’re the rival I acknowledged.”
Rival?
If you want to talk about rivals with me, you need to be at least a Gladus (4-star), you punk.
He was about to say that when suddenly, a whisper from the distant past rippled across the surface of his mind.
- You’re the new Lin? This is great, I, Gisela, candidate No.2 for the next Archmage, will specially consider you my rival!
Gisela, a girl he met at the magic tower, a year younger, or perhaps the same age.
He still vividly remembered how she had clowned around, demanding to be treated as a senior because she had arrived first.
It was the moment he thought of Gisela after a long time. Was that what led to his smile?
“Is he laughing right now? It seems my sincerity wasn’t conveyed!”
Before he could stop her, a magic circle spun on her palm. It was truly super-fast computation.
The moment the magic circle broke, a furious sandstorm swirled around the main gate of the main building.
Thanks to this, other students entering the opening ceremony hall coughed painfully, and Krista looked at him triumphantly.
“Huhu, now you understand the extent of my true power, right? Are you ready to get serious now?”
The boy, covered in sand, suppressed the rage spreading across his entire face.
This girl is Gisela…
One hundred percent Gisela. Gisela has definitely reincarnated.
“What a show you’re putting on, what a show.”
At that moment, a cold laugh erupted from behind, accompanied by that taunt.
“One is a genius young master admitted through an additional exam, and the other is the top entrant. A comparison of extremes, is that it?”
Unlike the boy, who showed no particular emotion, Krista’s eyes, which glared directly at the owner of the voice, held cold contempt.
‘Hubert’s gang…’
Hubert. A prodigy of the Rohinum School, one of the Eight Great Schools of the Empire, and the second-ranked graduate of <Delaiten> middle school.
With brown curly hair and long, slit eyes, he was always an unpleasant sight.
Ever since middle school, he had always bickered with that guy. No, it was mostly like that. With those from the Eight Great Schools.
“…”
A subtle tension hung in the air as the boy silently stared at Hubert. Hubert provocatively raised his chin.
“What are you looking at? Did any part of what I said bother you?”
Then, his gang members standing on either side chuckled. Rain tilted his head.
“Rather than bothering me… I was wondering who you were to act like you know me.”
“…?”
“Do you use magic well? If you’re seriously picking a fight with me, you’ll have to be able to use a good amount of magic, you know?”
Suddenly, everyone watching felt a chill and had to shut their mouths.
‘He’s crazy.’
Logically, it was unthinkable for anyone in this generation not to know Hubert. The unshakeable second-ranked genius of <Delaiten> middle school.
‘A prodigy of the Rohinum School.’
‘First place in the general admission examination.’
A genius (natural disaster) young master who entered through an additional exam, Rain Ludwig, was incomparable.
“Now…”
Just as Hubert clenched his fist, it was Krista who burst into clear laughter.
“Uh, heh, wahahahaha…!”
Krista spoke loud enough for the red-faced Hubert to hear.
“Ha, how embarrassing. Some idiot picked a fight with someone whose face they didn’t even know and got dumped.”
“What, you…?!”
The conflict situation, which had reached its peak, was brought to an end by an assistant who was guiding new students from another direction.
“What are you doing here? Hurry up and go inside. The opening ceremony is about to begin. And Student Krista? You’re the new student representative, what are you doing here! You need to prepare your oath!”
Krista, as if Hubert was beneath her notice, pointed a finger directly at the boy and said,
“I’ll back down this time because there’s no time, but next time, no chance! Let’s settle it next time!”
Krista’s words made the onlookers doubt their ears once again.
“A showdown? Krista and Rain?”
“They’re not even in the same league, are they?”
“Not in the same league, that’s funny. If you saw the young master’s skill once, you wouldn’t dare say such a thing anywhere.”
A few students from <Rivarden> moved toward the main hall, exchanging knowing smiles.
The scene at the opening ceremony was like that. Was it because all places where people gathered were alike, or was there not much difference from the magic tower?
Guys like Gisela who kept challenging, and guys like Hubert who were hostile from the start…
* * *
“We will now begin the 1388th <Delaiten> Entrance Ceremony. All new students, please stand.”
Memories of the magic tower resurfaced, making him gloomy as he sat in the auditorium seat before the opening ceremony began.
‘What happened to them? After becoming the Eight Great Schools, the school must have become incredibly busy, did they take good care of the Dean?’
Other students seemed very happy, and a commotion mixed with pride and conceit over entering the Empire’s best magic university arose.
But that atmosphere in the hall completely changed the moment the host said these words.
“The Chancellor of the school will deliver words of encouragement and welcome to all new students.”
The oppressive sound of combat boots echoed through the stage.
With each dignified step, her leather robe elegantly fluttered.
New students whispered in hushed voices.
“Currently the Empire’s greatest wizard…”
“Madellia Page…”
A beautiful woman with light purple hair appeared, her mere presence overwhelming all new students for a moment, causing a shiver.
Madellia Page.
Currently the Empire’s number one wizard, and also the leader of the Magic Alliance. A direct descendant of Emitsa Page, the progenitor of magic, and the head of the Page County, the foremost magic noble family of the Empire, who traditionally held the position of Chancellor of <Delaiten>.
‘Aha… that hair color is still the symbol of the Page family in this era.’
The boy raised an eyebrow with interest.
Uran Page, whom he had met in Lin’s era, also had that hair color. It was said to be a family direct-line trait passed down from Emitsa Page.
It was the same reason Rain and Seri had black hair and red eyes.
“Pleased to meet you, new students. I am Madellia Page, the Chancellor of the university.”
In the front rows, the top-ranking entrants who had been somewhat arrogant unconsciously straightened their backs.
“There are 233 new students here today. Half of these 233 will not make it to their second year and will be either held back or expelled.”
What… what is she saying?
Most of the new students, who had come to the entrance ceremony with excited hearts, turned pale.
“Among the 117 who survive, only half will barely make it to their third year. And among those, only half will complete the graduation process. Fewer than 30 students graduate each year.”
“…!”
“<Delaiten>, where you have enrolled, is such a place. In that sense, <Delaiten> is like a jeweler. To determine whether you are stones that can become jewels, it will continuously impose trials on you in the name of craftsmanship.”
Suddenly, Madellia pointed her finger at the new students. Without singling out anyone, she pointed at everyone.
“Refine yourselves here! From worthless rough stones, until you become jewels with your own unique characteristics!”
Not an admonition, not an invitation, but a command.
In response to that command, the top-ranking entrants showed various reactions. Hubert, the second-ranked entrant, snorted.
‘<Delaiten>’s policy is limitless competition. Those who fall behind in the competition don’t even qualify for a diploma.’
He liked it very much.
Because it was a fair system that evaluated everything based solely on skill, not status.
“Three years from now, let us meet again in this very place. Not as students and Chancellor, but as wizards and wizards. I wish you all the best in your endeavors.”
As Madellia’s coat tails fluttered again and she descended the stage, the new students applauded without being told by the host.
‘Let’s meet again, she said…’
A smile tinged with sorrow bloomed on the lips of the boy, who was also applauding half-heartedly.
‘It’s something one can say so easily anywhere, but why can’t I…’